December 2024 • 10 minute read

It’s December, which, for many, means holiday chaos and running ragged. If you have had a moment to catch your breath and reflect on these last twelve months, you might be thinking about some resolutions you’d like to take up for the new year. Many people think of the new year as a chance to grow, transform, and focus on self-improvement. Take a look at these top 10+ positive actions, identify some bad habits you might be holding onto, and find a routine that works for you to replace those bad habits with your chosen growth-focused habits!

Goals

Challenge Yourself and Stay Motivated

• Create a vision board or goal journal to keep your ambitions front and center.

• Set goals and stretch goals that are both a challenge to push your limits but are also realistically attainable so you don’t lose hope.

Be Accountable

• Take ownership and responsibility for your actions.

• Be honest with yourself and others, and have the integrity to admit when you’re wrong.

• Apologize for (when appropriate), and learn from your mistakes.

• Use habit-tracking apps or journals.

Accept Feedback Constructively

• Learn to accept criticism gracefully & use it as a tool for self-improvement.

• Remember: constructive criticism is different from destructive criticism, which focuses on the negative and lacks guidance — constructive criticism is intended to help you.

Expand Your Skills

• Develop leadership skills by spearheading projects or taking the lead on organizing group activities.

• Enroll in a course, learn a new language, or explore creative hobbies.

• Test Your Knowledge by getting certifications, taking quizzes, and apply what you learn in real-life scenarios.

Be creative

• Dedicate time to brainstorming new ideas/projects and exploring hobbies or interests, such as painting, writing, or DIY projects.

• Explore art and creativity as a form of self-expression and stress relief.

• Try embroidery as a mindful and rewarding craft!

  • Click here (or the image) for 3 simple, beginner-friendly designs for FREE—perfect for those looking to get started.

    • The designs are meant for 6” circular embroidery hoops.

    • I recommend printing the files out and simply tracing them onto your fabric (once it’s been pulled taught in the hoop) with an embroidery transfer pen, but a regular pen or pencil will also work.

  • You can check out this tutorial video on YouTube by Craftsy for the basics.

  • You can find the materials at any craft store. You can expect to pay around $10 USD for a 6” hoop, a skein or two of floss, a pack of needles, a threader, and some fabric, making this a very affordable crafting hobby and project!

Expand Your Social Circle

• Join clubs, attend events, or participate in online communities to make new friends or networking opportunities.

Gain Confidence

• Celebrate small wins to build self-assurance.

  • Bonus Points: Track your progress to remind yourself how far you’ve come.

• Tackle fear-inducing tasks to prove your resilience.

• Invest in yourself!

• Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and uplift you.

Gain Control Of Your Finances

• Build your financial literacy by listening to a podcast, reading personal finance books, taking online courses, or following financial educators.

• Track your income and expenses using a budgeting app or spreadsheet to understand where your money is going.

• Identify “leaks” in your budget, like unused subscriptions or frequent impulse buys.

• If possible, adopt the 50/30/20 rule: allocate 50% of income to necessities, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings or debt repayment.

• Set financial goals for the year, such as saving a specific amount, paying off debt, or creating an emergency fund.

• Automate savings and bill payments to stay consistent and reduce the risk of missed deadlines — missing even a single payment can have serious repercussions on your credit score.

• Create a “fun fund” for guilt-free treats for yourself (or others, if you’re a gift-giver) to keep yourself motivated!

Do Some Good & Help Others

• Volunteer, mentor, or otherwise support people in your community.

• Advocate for causes you care about or start sustainable habits.

Discover New Opportunities

• Stay open to new paths, even if they feel unexpected or challenging.

Bad Habits

It’s important to identify bad habits when setting new goals because it allows a fresh perspective and focused start on overcoming the obstacles ahead. While breaking habits can be challenging, building resilience and fostering self-discipline creates space for positive routines, paving the way for long-term success, which is an immensely rewarding cornerstone of a fulfilling life.

The American Psychological Association says 20% of adults in the US are chronic procrastinators. Timeular reports more than 50% of adults have poor time management skills. During the holiday season, it’s been reported that even more people —potentially over 60%— overindulge and take extended breaks from their workout regimens. With statistics like that, it’s no wonder negative self-talk has alarming rates; Psychology Today reports: of the 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day a person may have, it’s estimated that up to 80% of those are self-critical.

These habits can hinder personal growth and wellbeing, affecting productivity, confidence, energy levels, and mental health. However, most can be overcome with practical habit replacements and a strong routine. Starting small, setting personal boundaries, and practicing positive affirmations are intentional strategies that create a solid foundation for lasting change and growth.

Routines

Growing out of some of those habits firstly means setting boundaries with yourself and working on your time management skills, allocating time for your priorities and high-importance tasks, and allowing yourself relaxation and reasonable indulgences. A well-crafted routine provides structure & stability, helping you stay focused and consistent by minimizing decision fatigue, stress and anxiety. Routines often improve mental health by giving a sense of control and supporting healthy habits such as exercise, eating well, and good sleep.

Tips for Building a Personalized Routine

• Treat time like a budget—it's limited and valuable.

• Customize routines to fit your lifestyle and energy levels. Night owls and early birds thrive on different schedules!

• Include time for nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mindfulness.

• Start small with one or two habits.

• Focus on consistency over perfection.

• Evaluate and adjust your routine periodically.

• Establish clear work hours to separate work from personal time, ensuring balance and preventing burnout.

• Meal prep to save time.

• Prioritize maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.

• Include time for mindfulness practices (e.g., meditation, journaling) to enhance inner peace and wellbeing.

• Incorporate rewards to stay motivated.

I like to think of pairing actions as my own version of replacement therapy, but with dopamine instead of hormones, and it’s been a powerful way to transform bad habits and thought into new chances for upward growth. By replacing procrastination with productivity challenges, swapping overindulgence for new experiences or skills, and trading negative self-talk for confidence-building activities, anyone can take intentional first steps to break harmful patterns and create a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

Personally, I have found the Finch self-care app to be particularly helpful with adding new things to my routine or simple reminders. I pay for the annual subscription so I have access to make my tasks incredibly detailed, personalized, and set to notify me only with important things at specific times. The app is sort of like adult Tamagotchi, in which you complete tasks on your to-do list for sparkle stones to trade for clothes and furniture to care for and grow your Finch, but is also a great digital journal and habit tracker. The app even has breathing and movement exercises and soundscapes to help keep you grounded. 

Conclusion

Growth is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process of learning, unlearning, and relearning, with all the ups and downs that come along the way. Breaking bad habits and adopting new, positive routines can be uncomfortable at first, but that discomfort is often a sign of progress. It means you’re stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to grow.

As you reflect on the past year and plan for the next, embrace the small wins, celebrate your resilience, and be kind to yourself when things don’t go perfectly. Remember, every step you take—no matter how small—brings you closer to the version of yourself you want to be. You’ve got this! Let’s make this year one of transformation, fulfillment, and intentional living.